‘My body gave up on me’

LAS VEGAS – David Onama says the fee stopped him from a last-second try and make weight at UFC on ESPN 55.

Onama (12-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) missed weight by 2.5 kilos for his featherweight bout towards Jonathan Pearce (14-6 MMA, 5-3 UFC) Saturday on the UFC Apex. Onama defeated Pearce by unanimous resolution.

Onama defined that after lacking the 146-pound non-title featherweight restrict, he wished to make the most of the additional permitted hour, however the fee intervened.

“Friday morning, my physique simply gave up on me,” Onama advised MMA Junkie and different reporters post-fight at UFC on ESPN 55. “I had two extra kilos to chop, and I simply couldn’t minimize no extra. I couldn’t cease sweating. My physique was hurting me. I’ve by no means had that problem earlier than. In my complete profession, I’ve by no means missed weight and that’s my first time ever lacking within the UFC.

“I used to be mad at myself as a result of I by no means had that problem. I actually thought I used to be going to make weight. I had an hour left and the fee advised me, ‘You’ll be able to’t minimize anymore.’ It’s not like I give up reducing weight. I had an hour left and I used to be going to maintain reducing weight, however they mentioned I can’t make that weight in an hour.”

Onama apologized to Pearce, and vowed that he gained’t have a problem on the size once more. The 29-year-old has now gained 4 of his previous 5.

“To my opponent, I’m sorry,” Onama mentioned. “My physique gave up on me. It’s a part of the sport. Typically you may need a very good weight minimize, typically you may not. It’s by no means occurred earlier than and I apologize for that occuring. It’ll by no means occur once more.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 55.